DENVER — Dozens of Red Lobster locations across the country abruptly shuttered their doors on Monday.
More than 80 Red Lobster locations in at least 27 states were listed as "temporarily closed" on the restaurant's website.
Workers at the shuttered restaurants shared their disbelief on social media and said they received no notice whatsoever.
A liquidation company announced it is conducting an online auction of Red Lobster kitchen equipment and other contents of the closed restaurant locations.
The closures come as bankruptcy rumors circled the seafood restaurant chain in recent weeks. Red Lobster has been searching for a buyer to avoid filing for Chapter 11, multiple media outlets reported last month.
The Orlando-based chain, known for its endless shrimp deals, has reportedly been eyeing bankruptcy filing to restructure its debt and downsize from its 650 US locations, CNN reports.
Colorado Red Lobster closures
- Lakewood - Wadsworth
- Lone Tree - Westview Road
- Wheat Ridge - Wadsworth
- Denver - Northfield
> Full list of U.S. Red Lobster locations listed as "closed" on their website, as of Monday afternoon
The company has yet to publicly acknowledge Monday's closures and did not respond to a request for comment.
For years, Red Lobster faced a multitude of difficulties — both financially and internally.
In 2021 and 2022, the company saw a new CEO, chief marketing officer, chief financial officer and chief information officer join the C-Suite. All of them left within two years, according to CNN.
Last summer, the company revived their endless shrimp menu deal, which led to a $11 million loss for the seafood chain, according to CNN.
Red Lobster's top supplier, Thai Union, recently cut ties with the seafood restaurant as well.
There are more than 700 Red Lobster locations worldwide.
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